PMO tightens norms for foreign junkets

Seeking to streamline overseas visits of ministers, the Prime Minister's Office has asked them to give at least 10-day prior notice and file a detailed report about the outcome of the visit on return.

In an official memorandum, the Cabinet secretariat said the proposals seeking approval of the Prime Minister for official visits abroad should be forwarded to the PMO "at least 10 days before the proposed date of departure as against the earlier stipulation of 5 days".

Further, the proposal seeking approval of the prime minister should incorporate details of the "tasks to be accomplished during the visit," sources said.

The concerned ministers and officers would also be required to submit a post-visit report to the Prime Minister.

According to the memorandum, issued on foreign travel by ministers of union government, chief ministers/ministers in the states/UTs, ministers seeking approval for a subsequent visit abroad would have to submit a report on the action taken to achieve the "intended outcome" specified in the previous visit.

Similarly, it has been decided that the same process would have to be adopted in respect of visits abroad by secretaries and additional secretary level officers seeking the clearance of the screening committee of secretaries.